Manchester United will not abandon their tradition of developing youth despite letting Danny Welbeck join Arsenal, says Ryan Giggs
Giggs believes that young talents such as Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson will maintain the club's philosophy under Louis van Gaal
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Your support makes all the difference.Ryan Giggs insists Manchester United will never abandon their traditions or their youth policy.
The much-decorated former player - one of the United's greatest youth products - also hopes to manage the club again in the future.
Giggs had a spell as interim manager at the end of last season and, after retiring as a player, remains at Old Trafford as assistant to new boss Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal's arrival over the summer coincided with the spending of £150million on new players.
With Academy graduate Danny Welbeck also being sold to Arsenal, there are fears priorities could be changing at a club with a proud record in youth development.
United have had at least one homegrown player in every matchday squad since 1937 - a statistic that could now be in jeopardy following Welbeck's departure.
Giggs, speaking at the Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester, said: "The club will never change. The history of the club is to play exciting football, always give youngsters a chance, keep to the traditions of the club.
"Okay Danny has left, which is obviously disappointing because you never want to see a homegrown player leave but this is a manager who gave (Clarence) Seedorf his chance, (Patrick) Kluivert his chance, (Andres) Iniesta his chance, Xavi, Thomas Muller - he has got a track record of giving young players a chance.
"Tyler Blackett has played every game this season. Underneath (Robin) Van Persie and (Wayne) Rooney you have got (Adnan) Januzaj and James Wilson.
"Players will leave but we have got to make sure young players come through because United fans demand it. I want to see young players come through.
"That has been (the case) right through the history of Manchester United and we never want to lose that."
Giggs oversaw the final four games of last season following the sacking of David Moyes.
United endured a turbulent 2013-14 campaign, finishing seventh in the Barclays Premier League and failing to qualify for Europe.
Veteran former Holland, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax boss Van Gaal is seen as the man to get the club back on track, but Giggs hopes one day to move into the hotseat himself.
Asked if he still wanted to be manager, the 40-year-old said: "Yes."
PA
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